Pour spout cartons



United States Patent ware Filed Apr. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 542,786

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-27) This invention relates to an improvement inpour-spout cartons and deals particularly with a carton that may containa pourable material and which incorporates a means for preventing thebulging of the walls of the carton.

Cartons which are used to contain powdered or granular material areusually made of relatively stiff and rigid paperboard due to the factthat the material contained tends to bulge the panels of the cartonoutwardly. Various methods have been devised for reinforcing the largerpanels of such cartons to prevent the walls from bulging. For example,Patent 3,029,711 issued Apr. 17, 1962, to R. W. Griese shows a methodwherein a narrow strip of a lightweight paper is secured to extendbetween central portions of the larger carton panels to hold them fromseparation. While this method functions elfectively, it usually requiresa separate operation to produce as the strip of paper must be applied tothe blank by some means such as a cellophane window machine. Patent3,106,876 shows a somewhat similar structure in which the partitionstrip is originally an integral part of the carton blank. The partitionis formed by folding the partition strip onto the flat blank andadhering an edge of the strip to a panel of the blank before detachingthe strip from the portion of the blank to which it was originallyattached. This method also requires special machinery for detaching thepartition strip from the blank.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a cartonmade of lightweight paperboard including an inner liner and an outershell. A partition strip is cut from the body of the liner, remainingattached to the liner along a line of fold. The opposite edge of thepartition strip is adhered to the wall of the carton opposite that towhich the partition strip is foldably connected, thus preventing theopposite panels of the carton from bulging apart.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the formation of ahinged cover portion enclosing an upper corner of the liner. This hingedcover portion includes substantially triangular side portions defined byweakened lines of separation. These weakened lines of separation areformed by a cut score line extending partially through the paperboardfrom the outer surface, and a parallel cut score line extendingpartially through the paperboard from the inner surface thereof, the twocut score lines being in side by side relation. The arrangement is suchthat when the wall of the carton adjoining the triangular portions ofthe side walls is pressed inwardly, the paperboard will splitintermediate its surfaces between the cut score lines, and the hingedcover portion may be hinged into open position. The carton contents maythen be poured over the upper edge of'the inner liner.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that thereinforcing strip may, if desired, be attached directly to the outershell of the carton. By p oviding an opening through the wall of theliner which is opposite the wall to which the partition is foldably connected, the free end of the partition strip may extend through theopening and then attached directly to the outer shell.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly shown and described in the following specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the carton in closed condition.

FIGURE 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of the upper portion ofthe carton in partially opened position.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view through the carton, the positionof the second being indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view through the partially openedcarton, the position of the section being indicated by the line 44 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the carton, the positionof the section being indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the inside of the Hat blank.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the blank at the completion of the firstfolding operation.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the blank at the completion of the secondfolding operation and just before the final told is made.

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 showing amodified form of construction.

The carton is made from the blank best illustrated in FIGURE 6 of thedrawings. As is indicated in this figure, the blank includes a side Wall10, an end wall 11, a side wall 12, and a second end wall 13, thesewalls being connected along parallel fold lines 14, 1'5, and 16. The rectangular liner is hingedly connected to the end wall 13 along a foldline 17. The liner includes a side wall 19, an end wall 20, a secondside wall 21, and a second end wall 22 which are foldably connectedalong parallel lines of fold 23, 24, and 25, which fold lines areparallel to the previously described fold lines.

Bottom closure flaps 26, 27, 29, and are foldably connected to the loweredges of the walls 10, 11, 12, and 13 along a substantially common lineof fold 31. Top closure flaps 32, 33, 34, and are folclably connected tothe upper edges of the walls 10, 11, 12, and 13 along a substantiallycommon line of fold 36.

A hinged cover portion is defined by a out line 37, or Weakened line ofseparation, which extends across the end wall 11 spaced from, andparallel to, the fold line 36. Weakened lines of separation extenddiagonally across the upper corners of the side walls 10 and 12 todefine gen erally triangular corner portions 39 and 40. The weakenedline of separation in the panel 10 includes a cut score line 41 whichextends into the inner surface of the paperboard extending partially,but not entirely, through the paperboard. This weakened line alsoincludes a cut score line 42 in the outer surface of the paperboard inparallel side by side relation to the cut score line 41. When theportion of the panel 10 adjoining the triangular portion 39 is pressedinwardly, the paperboard will split between the cut score lines 41 and42 to separate these areas.

A similar weakened line of separation extends diagonally across theupper corner of the panel 12. This weakened line includes a cut scoreline 43 extending from the end of the out line 37 to the fold line 36,and a second parallel side by side out score line 44 in the outersurface of the paperboard. When the area of the panel 12 adjoining thetriangular portion is pressed inwardly, the paperboard will splitbetween the cut score lines 43 and 44.

To complete the hinged cover portion, fold lines 45 and 46 extend acrossthe closure flaps 32 and 34 in equally spaced relation to the end edgesof these flaps, the two fold lines 45 and 46 being in registry when theclosure flaps are in closed position. The fold lines 45 and 46 extendacross the respective flaps from the ends of the weakened lines ofseparation. When the weakened lines of separation are fractured, thecorner of the carton may be swung into open position as indicated inFIGURE 2 of the drawings.

A reinforcing panel 47 is provided in the liner panel 19. Thereinforcing panel 47 is hingedly connected to an anchoring flange 49along a fold line 50. The partition panel 47 and its anchoring flange 49are defined by a U-shaped out line 51 in the panel 19, the ends of theU-shaped out line terminating at the ends of a fold line 52 whichextends substantially vertically along the center line of the panel 19.The cut line 51 includes top and bottom cut lines 53 and 54 which definethe top and bottom edges of the partition structure, and a vertical foldline 55 which defines an edge of the anchoring flange 49.

In the preferred form of construction, the liner panel 21 is providedwith a rectangular aperture 56 which is in registry with the partitionpanel 47 and its anchoring flange 49, when the blank is folded along thefold line 24. The purpose of this aperture 56 will be described. Theblank is first folded in the manner best illustrated in FIGURE 7 of thedrawings, with a further step of the production illustrated in FIGURE 8.In forming the carton A, the blank is folded along the fold line 24 sothat the liner panels 21 and 22 are superimposed upon the liner panels19 and 20. As indicated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, the entire area ofthe partitioned panel 47 and its anchoring flange 49 is then visiblethrough the rectangular aperture 56. A strip of adhesive 57 is appliedto the outer surfaces of the liner panel 22 along the outer edge 59 ofthe blank. Adhesive is also applied to the anchoring flange 49. In someinstances, adhesive areas 60 are also applied to the panel 21 to adherethis liner panel to the side wall 12 of the outer shell. The broken line61 shown in the panel 12 indicates the area to which the anchoringflange 49 will be attached.

When adhesive has been applied to the areas to be adhered, the blank isfolded along the fold line 17 so that the liner panels 22 and 21 willoverlie the outer end and side wall panels 13 and 12, respectively.During this operation, the end wall liner panel 22 is adhered to an edgeof the end wall 13 of the outer shell, and the anchoring flange 49 isadhered to the area 61 of the side wall 12. The blank of the carton A isindicated in this position in FIGURE 8 of the drawings.

An adhesive area 62 is applied to the edge of the outer surface of theliner panel 19 along the fold line 17. Preferably, 'a line of adhesive63 is also applied across the panel 19 adjacent to the fold line 52connecting the panel 19 to the partition panel 47. The purpose of theadhesive area 63 is to anchor the center portion of the side wall ltltothe outer surface of the liner panel 19 which will lie inwardly thereof.The folding of the carton is completed by folding the blank along thefold line to bring the end wall 11 into position overlying the liner endwall and to bring the side wall 10 into position overlying the linerside wall 19. The carton remains in this folded condition until it isused.

The top and bottom ends of the closure are folded in the conventionalmanner by folding the end wall closure flaps 27 and of the bottomclosure and closure flaps 33 and of the top closure into a common plane,and folding the side wall closure flaps into face contact outwardly ofthe first folded flaps. During the process of squaring up the carton,the partition panel 47 is folded into right angular relation to the sidewalls and in parallel relation to the end walls of the carton. Thepartition flap is anchored to tE side wall 12 of the outer shell so asto prevent the outward bowing thereof. The adhesive area 63 connects theside wall 10 to the liner panel 19 along the fold line 52 which connectsthe partition flap to the liner panel 19, and therefore a directconnection is provided between the outer side walls of the carton.

The structure shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings is very similar to thestructure described with the exception of the fact that the aperture 56in the liner panel 21 is omitted. In this arrangement, the partitionwall 47 connects the side walls 19 and 21 of the liner, the anchoringflange 49 being adhered to the inner surface of the panel 21.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principlesof construction and operation of our improvement in pour-spout cartons;while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, wedesire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within thescope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of ourinvention.

We claim:

1. A paperboard carton blank including:

an outer shell including a series of alternately arranged side and endwalls hingedly connected along parallel fold lines,

top and bottom closure flaps secured to said walls along parallel linesof fold,

a liner hingedly connected to an end wall of said series and includingalternately arranged side and end walls adapted to fold inwardly of thecorresponding side and end walls of the outer shell in face contacttherewith,

a partition structure formed in one of said side walls of said liner andincluding a partition panel of a width substantially equal to the widthof said liner end walls, and an anchoring flange hinged to the free endof said partition panel,

said partition structure being defined by a generally U-shaped out linehaving its ends terminating substantially on the vertical center line ofthe said one side wall, and by a vertical fold line connecting the endsof said U-shaped cut line.

2. The blank of claim 1 and in which the other side wall of said lineris provided with an aperture adapted to register with said partitionstructure when said other side wall is folded to overlie an adjoiningend wall and a portion of said one side wall.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which the one end wall of said outershell which is between the two side walls thereof is provided with aline of separation parallel to the top and bottom edges of said one endwall extending across the one end wall, and including diagonallyextending weakened lines of separation in said outer shell side wallsfrom the ends of said line of separation in said one end wall to theupper edges of said outer shell side walls, and registrable score linesextending across the top closure flaps of said outer shell closure flapsbetween the upper ends of said weakened lines of separation.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said weakened lines ofseparation in said outer shell side walls are formed by a cut score lineextending into the paperboard from the inner surface of the same, and asecond side by side cut score line extending into the paperboard fromthe outer surface thereof, the second cut score line being below thefirst.

5. A paperboard carton including an outer shell having spaced parallelside walls and spaced parallel end walls connected in series tubularrelation,

a carton liner connected to an end wall of said series includingparallel side walls in face contact with the side walls of said outershell and an end wall in face contact with the inner surface of one ofsaid end walls between the side walls of said outer shell,

a line of separation extending across said one end wall of said outershell in spaced parallel relation to the upper edge thereof,

closure flaps on said side and end walls of said outer shell and securedin face contact to provide a top closure,

weakened lines of separation extending diagonally across the uppercorners of said outer shell side walls adjoining said one outer shellend wall from the ends of said line of separation in said one side wallto opposed points on the upper edges of said outer shell side walls,

said weakened lines of separation being defined by first cut score linesextending partially through the paperboard in the inner surface thereof,and second a side by side cut score line extending partially through thepaperboard from the outer surface thereof, and,

a line of fold extending across said side wall closure flaps betweensaid opposed points,

a partition structure formed in one of said side walls of said liner andincluding a partition panel of a width substantially equal to the widthof said liner end walls, and an anchoring flange hinged to the free endof said partition,

said partition structure being defined by a generally U-shaped cut linehaving its ends terminating sub- 5 cut score line is below the first cutscore line.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,235,163 2/1966 Hennessey 229-373,288,348 11/ 1966 Brackett 229-27 3,302,847 2/ 1967 Hennessey 229-37JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

15 R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PAPERBOARD CARTON BLANK INCLUDING: AN OUTER SHELL INCLUDING ASERIES OF ALTERNATELY ARRANGED SIDE AND END WALLS HINGEDLY CONNECTEDALONG PARALLEL FOLD LINES, TOP AND BOTTOM CLOSURE FLAPS SECURED TO SAIDWALLS ALONG PARALLEL LINES OF FOLD, A LINER HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO AN ENDWALL OF SAID SERIES AND INCLUDING ALTERNATELY ARRANGED SIDE AND ENDWALLS ADAPTED TO FOLD INWARDLY OF THE CORRESPONDING SIDE AND END WALLSOF THE OUTER SHELL IN FACE CONTACT THEREWITH, A PARTITION STRUCTUREFORMED IN ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID LINER AND INCLUDING A PARTITIONPANEL OF A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID LINER ENDWALLS, AND AN ANCHORING FLANGE HINGED TO THE FREE END OF SAID PARTITIONPANEL, SAID PARTITION STRUCTURE BEING DEFINED BY A GENERALLY U-SHAPEDCUT LINE HAVING ITS ENDS TERMINATING SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE VERTICALCENTER LINE OF THE SAID ONE SIDE WALL, AND BY A VERTICAL FOLD LINECONNECTING THE ENDS OF SAID U-SHAPED CUTLINE.